Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-08

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek premier calls for a more active international role for

[02] PM says tripartite funding of social security system should be maintained

[03] Ankara reportedly takes issue with helicopter landing on Greek isle

[04] Gov't cites 'multiple benefits' from historic Papal visit

[05] Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate satisfied but cautious of Papal visit to Athens

[06] PM's meeting with Archbishop not confirmed by government

[07] Christodoulos continues tour of Russia, contacts with Moscow Patriarchate

[08] Ecumenical Patriarch concludes two-day tour of Serres prefecture

[09] FM Papandreou announces new meeting with Colin Powell in May

[10] French National Assembly delegation visits Greek Parliament

[11] Greek embassy in Ankara issues monthly bulletin in Turkish language

[12] ND section heads to meet on Tuesday

[13] Economy minister says Greek public finances in better position than European average

[14] High-powered Athens conference on IT and democracy on May 19-21

[15] Greek, Turkish firms in energy deal

[16] Call for use of energy solar systems in Olympic Village

[17] Greek investment firms' assets increase in April

[18] Greek listed companies criticize delay in implementing margin account

[19] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

[20] President delivers 'Quality islets 2001' collective action awards

[21] Pupils' rally to demand return of Parthenon Marbles

[22] Kasoulides says Cyprus' EU membership prospects good

[23] President Clerides receives US ambassador

[24] President Clerides meets AHEPA Greek Americans

[01] Greek premier calls for a more active international role for

EU BERLIN, 08/05/2001 (ANA – P. Stangos)

“Europe can play a vital role in the formulation of a new balanced international system during the 21st century, the European Union has plenty of abilities, sources and experience to confront the new challenges we are faced with, many of which stem from the dark side of globalization,” Simitis said.

He called on the European socialists and social democrats to develop “new ambitions”, stressing that the future of the Union is inexorably bound with the future of European social democrats and both are connected with the dynamics of the wider international system.

He also called on the European Union to lead the effort for the formulation of the international system by strengthening its foreign policy and defense.

“Our aim is not to antagonize the USA, but to secure stability,” Simitis said, noting that the EU should undertake a more active role in regional security, even outside its borders, as “the prevention of conflicts is the top issue on the international agenda”.

Simitis also said that the Union should promote democratic institutions and should find new balances between governments, the market and the citizens, saying that there is a “deficit of democracy” within the international economic and political system. He stressed that for the social democrats and the socialists the “market is the means for the achievement of certain aims, the organization based on the market system is connected with terms, the state has the obligation to intervene, to organize, to be the planning center,” adding that in contrast the conservative and neo-liberal parties believe that the “society of the market is a model” in itself.

He also noted that the Union’s international obligations include combatting poverty on the planet and protecting the environment.

German social democrats call for a more centralized EU, causing reactions: A proposal for a more centralized European Union and a call for the opening of such a dialogue by the European Socialist Party (ESP) in its two-day summit here, were the focus of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder address.

Greek Prime Minister and ruling PASOK president Costas Simitis, as well as other socialist leaders, noted that it was too early to respond to Schroeder's proposal.

The summit may serve as a forum during which the future of the course of the European integration will be debated by the 11 of the 15 European Union governments who are ESP members.

"We need ... to strengthen our European institutions and rigorously further develop the European integration process," Schroeder told government and party leaders attending the Berlin congress of the ESP, an umbrella organization for 19 national left-of-center parties.

"Who else, except for us, can provide the feeling of security to citizens in an era that is marked by deep changes," Schroeder, who is hosting the two-day summit, said to socialist leaders. The summit was entitled "Security and Change".

The term 'Security' does not mean that all will remain as they are, "to say that would be to cultivate false hopes... we are working toward a social, democratic and just Europe," Schroeder said.

He spoke in detail of the proposals for the development of the European Union, which was adopted by the Germany's SPD social-democrat party as the central focus of that party's congress in November. SPD's national executive on Monday unanimously adopted Schroeder's policy paper calling for the EU's executive Commission to become a pan-European government and for sweeping budget powers for the European Parliament.

The paper also called for the re-nationalization of the Common Agricultural Policy and the creation of an Upper House type parliament body over the European Parliament.

On his part, Simitis, during a press conference said "we say no to solutions with negative effects on Greece, such as the re-nationalization of the Common Agricultural Policy or the Regional and Structural policies. The widening of the European Union policies should not mean the shrinking of the existing policies".

Simitis also noted that during the dinner hosted by Schroeder for his counterparts, they discussed the framework of coordination among them in light of U.S. President George Bush's visit to Brussels in June for the NATO summit and then in Sweden for the European Union summit.

He said that the focus of discussions in light of Bush's visit would be the anti-ballistic missile defense system the U.S. is planning to construct and the decision of the new U.S. government to withdraw from the Kyoto agreement for the protection of the environment.

[02] PM says tripartite funding of social security system should be maintained

BERLIN, 08/05/2001 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Speaking to reporters monitoring the European Socialist Party's conference here, Simitis said:

"The government has spoken of an across-the-board dialogue without preconditions. And I have stated myself that this means that the funding system is also a topic for dialogue. When we presented initial views we said, and this is our conviction, that the social security system should be public and there should also be public funding. And to a great extent there is public funding. You only have to see the figures, the amounts anticipated in the budget. A big amount of tax revenues will be used to support social security," he said.

Government invites all sides to submit proposals for dialogue: The government wishes for dialogue conducted in good faith on the issue of social insurance reform, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Monday, and added that all sides must submit their proposals for the negotiations.

Asked about proposals made by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou - who had made statements regarding the long-term funding of social insurance funds while visiting the US last week - the spokesman said that the minister's proposals would also be discussed in the framework of the dialogue on this issue.

In response to questions, meanwhile, he said that Papantoniou enjoyed the "full confidence of the prime minister and all of us."

Specifically, Papantoniou had talked about the creation of a social revenue fund to provide long-term support for social insurance funds and the social security system in general. He said that his ministry's economic team had processed a plan for raising revenue for this purpose through privatizations.

He had dismissed the imposition of new taxes as a solution, suggesting that there were too few taxpayers with a large enough income and direct taxation would therefore not raise enough to cover social insurance funds' needs, while indirect taxation on consumer goods would have repercussions on the entire economy, particularly for those on low incomes.

The minister had also claimed that the crisis point for social insurance funds would be reached after 2012, given the funds' present economic situation and the budget's capacity.

According to Papantoniou the Greek economy's growth is very high, while more than 350,000 economic migrants have entered the production process over the past four years, providing state insurance funds with new resources. In addition, the reserves of funds were utilized in a better way due to the government's recent legislation.

During Monday's briefing, Reppas also denied that Prime Minister Costas Simitis was considering asking for a vote of confidence from the PASOK parliamentary group, saying there was no reason to do this, as well as the prospect of early elections.

"You'll have to wait for three years until we've finished our work and then see how the Greek people judge us," he said.

Asked if PASOK MP Theodoros Katsanevas would remain in the party's Parliamentary Group, Reppas said that Katsanevas would remain and that he supported the government.

[03] Ankara reportedly takes issue with helicopter landing on Greek isle

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

Hellenic Navy chief Vice-Adm. Georgios Theodoroulakis was originally scheduled to attend a command transfer ceremony at the Turkish naval base of Axaz.

According to reports, Turkish authorities verbally informed Greece's naval attache in Ankara last week that Turkey "did not accept" the helicopter's landing on the well-known holiday isle for refueling, part of the neighboring country's long-standing claim that the Greece's Dodecannese island chain, across from the densely populated Asia Minor littoral, is "de-militarized".

At the ceremony, a Greek navy officer will transfer command of NATO's Mediterranean anti-mine warfare force (FORMED) to a Turkish counterpart.

Countries participating in the force on a permanent basis are Germany, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Spain. Periodical participants are Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States.

The incident comes amid ever-improving ties between the two neighbors, although certain core differences directly related to Turkey's unilateral claims in the Aegean remain. Athens has for decades patiently pointed to International Law, maritime and shipping pacts, as well as a handful of internationally recognized treaties as negating all of Ankara's claims.

The only outstanding issue recognized by Athens is that of the Aegean's continental shelf, which it maintains should be referred to the International Court of Justice at The Hague -- something Turkey has steadfastly refused to accept.

[04] Gov't cites 'multiple benefits' from historic Papal visit

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

During a regular press briefing on Monday, the government spokesman said the leaderships of both the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece as well as the Vatican benefited from the pontiff's Athens pilgrimage - the first ever by a Roman Catholic pope since the Great Schism of 1054 AD.

Spokesman Dimitris Reppas also emphasized that predominantly Orthodox Greece reinforced its reputation as an eminently hospitable nation and the fact that it can meet obligations vis-a-vis significant events - a more-or-less direct reference to the holding of the Athens 2004 Games, as IOC executive Jacques Rogge was in the Greek capital at the same time as the pope's pilgrimage to head a 40-person delegation gauging preparations for the next Olympics.

Finally, Reppas apologized to Athenians for the draconian measures imposed throughout John Paul II's visit to the Greek capital.

The Roman Catholic leader left the country on Saturday for Damascus, blessing the east Mediterranean nation and expressing his gratitude for having fulfilled his dream of praying at the site where the Apostle Paul preached to the ancient Athenians. Before departing from Athens, the pope officiated at a service for the country's small Roman Catholic community at the 18,000-seat Athens Olympic indoor stadium.

Mea culpa: On Friday, shortly after his arrival and in the presence of Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, John Paul II issued a historic apology for sins "of action and omission" over the centuries by Catholics against the Orthodox world, which today stretches from Russian Siberia to the Balkans and Greece.

"For the occasions past and present, when the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church have sinned by actions and omission against their Orthodox brothers and sisters, may the Lord grant us the forgiveness we beg of him," he said.

In directly commenting on a historical milestone that the Orthodox Churches have for centuries cited as the epitome of the Catholic Church's animosity towards them - the sacking of the Byzantine Empire's capital of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade - John Paul II said the "fact that they were Latin Christians fills Catholics with a deep regret".

In his initial greeting early Friday afternoon and before the pope's statements, Christodoulos emphasized that not one word of remorse had been heard from the Vatican to date over the Orthodox world's grievances, while also touching on a matter dear to the hearts of Greek Orthodox faithful, namely, Cyprus' ongoing division following a Turkish invasion in 1974.

Both men later held hearty talks on Friday evening, while the pontiff indirectly conveyed an invitation to the Greek Archbishop to visit the Vatican.

Archbishop Christodoulos reportedly appealed to Pope John Paul II so that the Vatican may share certain relics of saints with the Church of Greece, to which the pope reportedly replied: "of course, come and get them yourself."

Joint statement: Both ecclesiastical leaders later signed a joint statement that was read out at the Areios Paghos Hill, beneath the Acropolis, condemning any fanaticism in the name of religion as well as any resorting to force and proselytizing.

They also said relations between Christians, in all aspects, should be characterized by integrity and wisdom.

Additionally, the two Churches also expressed concern over the fact that economic and technological development mostly benefit a very small sector of humanity and are void of a deeper consideration of the concept and value of life.

The statement stressed that wars and suffering are a daily reality for millions of people and for this reason the two Churches are committed to struggling for peace and are calling, on the occasion of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, for the return of the ancient Olympic Truce.

Christodoulos and John Paul II expressed satisfaction over the European Union's success, underlining the importance of Europe's Christian roots, which should be preserved. Mention was also made of globalization, which, as they noted, will have harmful consequences unless globalization of fraternity is achieved.

The statement further noted, "we are watching attentively and with concern the process of globalization with the hope that it will provide gracious fruit."

Finally, they warned that European countries turning into secular states without any reference to religion constitutes a retraction and denial of their spiritual heritage.

Christodoulos' Moscow visit: Meanwhile, in the wake of the pope's historic visit, Christodoulos flew to Russian for talks with Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy.

According to an ANA dispatch from the Russian capital, the Russian Patriarch said the apology given in Athens by Pope John Paul II may be positive, although he expressed reservations over the Vatican's attitude in practice.

Alexiy spoke while welcoming Christodoulos, who began a nine-day visit to Russia on Saturday.

On his part, the Greek Church Primate conveyed to Patriarch Alexiy a message by the pontiff. Archbishop Christodoulos arrived at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow on Saturday night, accompanied by a group of senior Greek Orthodox clerics. Speaking on arrival at the airport on the Pope's visit to Athens, he said the results were positive, while adding: "we are expecting the Roman Catholic Church to take steps."

[05] Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate satisfied but cautious of Papal visit to Athens

ISTANBUL, 08/05/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Sources at the Patriarchate said the Pope visited several Orthodox churches over the past few years, adding that it would have been sad had he been confronted with negative reactions and incidents in Athens.

The visit at the site where Apostle Paul spoke of Christ in Athens and the "symbolism it carries is strong and make the visit historic," while this exchange of visits is in any event positive in mutual understanding, the same sources said.

Regarding the view of analysts, however, who consider the apology to Orthodox Christians as "historic", the sources noted that "Metropolitans who have great experience in the dialogue with the Catholic Church, remind that any apology is judged in practice".

[06] PM's meeting with Archbishop not confirmed by government

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

He mentioned that the two men had greeted each other, but warned reporters against drawing any further conclusions.

Regarding the identity card issue, the spokesman said that this had now been dealt with, and added that the channels of communication between the Church and government had to remain open since there were other matters that needed to be handled.

The Greek Church and state fell out over a decision by the government a year ago to remove indication of a holder's religion from new, state-issued IDs. The state was adopting the recommendation of the independent but government-appointed Authority for the Protection of Personal Data, which found that the record of religion for the purposes of identification was unconstitutional.

The Church objected to the move, asking that the option of recording one's religion be retained. It has since organized a large-scale, nationwide petition, collecting signatures in support of holding a referendum to decide this issue.

[07] Christodoulos continues tour of Russia, contacts with Moscow Patriarchate

MOSCOW, 08/05/2001 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)

Addressing Smolensk Orthodox Metropolitan Cyril, Christodoulos said that the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece limited its presence to the absolute necessities as dictated by the situation, while it imposed the exclusion of a Roman Catholic cardinal belonging to the Uniate Church, who originally was scheduled to accompany Pope John Paul II in Athens.

The Orthodox and Catholic churches split in 1056 after centuries of often contentious relations, whereas the latest point of friction relates to what Orthodox church leaders claim are unfair attempts by the Vatican to proselytize in traditionally Orthodox lands, primarily in the Ukraine, through the Uniate Church. The Uniate church, with a congregation of approximately one million faithful, follows many rites of the Eastern Orthodox Church but owes its allegiance to the Vatican.

Christodoulos also said that he outlined the problems of the Orthodox Christian world to the Pope and received "a request" for forgiveness for all that Catholics have committed against Orthodox peoples over the past 1,000 years.

He noted that while in Greece the pope also condemned proselytizing of Christians by members of other denominations. He added that the pontiff's visit in Athens resulted in a declaration calling for European countries to retain their Christian character and not to turn into secular states.

"This visit had positive results," he concluded.

Metropolitan Cyril, on his part, said the Church is not a private organization as some people seem to think, "we insist that the Church is within society. This, of course, is not acceptable to some in Greece and in Russia".

Christodoulos held a closed-door meeting with Cyril and then visited the Russian Duma, where its President Gennadi Selezniev received him.

[08] Ecumenical Patriarch concludes two-day tour of Serres prefecture

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The Ecumenical Patriarch received an enthusiastic welcome from thousands of people and in several cases he stopped to talk to people and to children in particular.

Later in the day, he left by helicopter for the town of Komotini.

Ecumenical Patriarch ends six-day tour of Thrace: Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Monday ended a six-day tour of Thrace, northern Greece, and left for Istanbul, Turkey, by road in the afternoon. Earlier, he had visited the area of Neos Skopos in the prefecture of Serres where people gave him an enthusiastic welcome.

[09] FM Papandreou announces new meeting with Colin Powell in May

NEW YORK, 08/05/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Papandreou was among the first speakers at the conference organized for the 5th consecutive year by the Capital Link organization on investments in Greece, the Greek economy, the stock exchange and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Papandreou underlined the strengthening of cooperation between Greece and the US in the direction of developing a new strategy for the region's future, speaking of the very close and friendly cooperation developed with his US counterpart Colin Powell whom, as he said, he will be meeting in May during his next visit to the US.

He further said the two countries have common targets. Stability, democracy, free markets and social development.

"Greece's vision is for the Balkans to become a region where the wishes of citizens, regardless of religion and origin, can be carried out through peaceful and democratic practices, where minority rights will be respected and where governments will be reliable, economies will be healthy and political systems will allow for the participation of all of society's factors," he said.

Papandreou further referred to the development of Greece's relations with Turkey, both at political and economic level, pointing out that trade, as well as transactions between the two countries in the tourism and energy sectors have doubled.

He also called on American and Greek American businessmen to invest in Greece, particularly in view of the 2004 Olympic Games. He said the Olympiad constitutes a historic moment for Greece having a vital significance, since it will transform the country completely and will provide excellent possibilities for foreign investors.

Papandreou was due to speak at Columbia University on Greek foreign policy on Monday night, local time.

US envoy Burns underlines development of US-Greek relations: US Ambassador to Athens underlined on Monday the "important development of US-Greek economic cooperation" while emphasizing that relations between the two countries "are particularly good at all levels".

Burns, who was addressing a 'Capital Link' forum, said the new US government shared Greece's positions and visions for consolidating peace, stability and democratic institutions in the Balkans and that it wished to have frequent contacts with the Greek leadership. He also said the US agreed with Greece that borders in the region should remain unchanged.

[10] French National Assembly delegation visits Greek Parliament

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

During his address to a delegation of French national assembly members led by Rene Dosiere, Kaklamanis said "we, as the Greek Parliament, have decided to that we will not vote for any

European Union enlargement agreement, if Cyprus is not included among them, given the fact that all Community officials recognize that Cyprus fulfills all the preconditions to become a full member".

"The opposite would mean that we are collaborating in the acceptance of a blackmail exercised against the European Union by Turkey," Kaklamanis said.

Dosiere heads a delegation of the French National Assembly's Friendship Group.

Kaklamanis and the delegation also discussed a proposal for a more centralized European Union issued by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

[11] Greek embassy in Ankara issues monthly bulletin in Turkish language

ISTANBUL, 08/05/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Greek Ambassador to Turkey Ioannis Korantis refers in the first edition of the bulletin to progress achieved in Greek-Turkish relations, adding that "the loss of the one is not a profit for the other. Our interests are identical now."

The bulletin, to be addressed to leading personalities and those who help to shape Turkish public opinion, is issued with the assistance of the Bogacici Iletisim Grubu company and will publish information and articles giving Turkish society a fuller picture of Greece.

[12] ND section heads to meet on Tuesday

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

This is the first meeting by the group for a lengthy period of time and comes after rumors of changes to its structure that have displeased certain of the section heads.

ND headquarters had denied on Friday that party leader Costas Karamanlis was displeased with the effectiveness of certain section heads, but essentially confirmed that certain changes would be made after the end of the Parliamentary Session, based on the decisions of the party's recent congress and new rules of operation for ND's Parliamentary Group that are being drafted by Anna Psarouda-Benaki.

[13] Economy minister says Greek public finances in better position than European average

BRUSSELS, 08/05/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Papantoniou referred to the difference in growth rates which is widening in Greece's favor (it was 4.1 percent compared to 3.4 percent in the euro zone in 2000, while in 2001 Greece reaches a little below 5 percent as against 2.8 percent for the euro zone), the triple number of investments (Greece has an 11.7 percent increase compared to the euro zone's 4.2 percent), real salaries (the increase in Greece was 2.6 percent compared to 0.7 percent in the euro zone) and its budget where Greece will have a surplus of 0.5 percent this year as against the euro zone in its entirety which shows a deficit of 0.7 percent.

"For the first time regarding public finances Greece is in a better position compared to the European average," he said and termed the phenomenon natural to a certain degree attributing it to "Greece's anxiousness to near euro zone countries in terms of living standards and income."

During the economy minister’s discussion on defining general economy policy orientations, Papantoniou agreed with his British counterpart Gordon Brown that targets should concern deficits but not the level of public expenditures in particular.

"What interests the EU are deficits. If some country has slightly increased expenditures or slightly decreased taxes compared to another, it is a national issue which should be decided on the basis of the political and social priorities of every government," he said.

On the question of Greece, he said there are great needs for investment and social expenditures which means, as he said, that for some years there will be increase rates for social expenditures which will be above the EU average. He added, however, that it would be consistent regarding the fiscal deficit.

The ECOFIN meeting also focused on the issue of the labor indicator's mobility to facilitate the movement of working people and to achieve the better utilization of the labor force at European level.

Economy minister refutes ND leader on social security issue: National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Monday said the statement by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on the state's unwillingness to contribute to the social security system's funding is a "shameless lie."

"I challenge Mr. Karamanlis to mention when I said that I don't give a dime about the social security system's funding," Papantoniou said, who is here to attend the Council of Finance Ministers, adding that it is inconceivable for such a thing to be said about the PASOK government at a time when 45 percent of all pensions in Greece are covered by state funding which corresponds to 5.3 percent of GDP and amounts to 2.35 trillion drachmas for all funds.

"If Karamanlis considers this amount a dime, I wonder how they count money at ND," he added and went on to say that the main opposition party is the last, which should speak on the issue.

Replying to Karamanlis (who called for his resignation from the ministry on Sunday) and to other critics of his, Papantoniou said his view on the social security system's funding is "simple and clear" and is summed up in "yes to new funds without new taxes."

[14] High-powered Athens conference on IT and democracy on May 19-21

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The conference is entitled "Toward a new economy, the revolution in information," is organized by the Metsovion Polytechnic's Electronics, Engineering and Computing Department and the Association of IT and Communications Companies of Greece (SEPE) and is taking place under the auspices of the European Parliament and European Commission President Romano Prodi.

The official opening ceremony will be held at the Pnyx on Saturday, May 19, while the rest of the conference will be held at the Grande Bretagne hotel on Sunday and Monday.

During a press conference on Monday, organizers said that they had invited heads of state, politicians, banking and business executives, academics and senior civil servants and high-ranking cadres of non-government organizations to participate, and planned to explore how the advances in information technology affected democracy.

Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis will open the conference, while Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Transport Minister Christos Verelis and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos will make addresses.

Other notable speakers include Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Montenegro President Milo Djukanovic, Euro-MP and former European Commission president Jacques Santer, former French premier Raymond Barre and Michael Dertouzos from the Computer Science lab at MIT.

[15] Greek, Turkish firms in energy deal

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The first project is expected to be an electricity plant in either eastern Macedonia or Thrace, of which the Greek development ministry has been informed.

HE&D is owned by Intracom, a blue chip telecoms and information technology manufacturer; and by engineering contractors Hellenic Technodomiki and Aktor.

[16] Call for use of energy solar systems in Olympic Village

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The union said that the use of natural gas would burden the environment in the wider Athens region by producing significant higher rates of carbon dioxide.

Instead, they said, the use of solar systems ensured lower pollution rates, saving imported fuels and rising employment.

The union said that almost 800,000 Greek households were using solar energy systems, with thousands of domestic hotels also using solar systems for hot water in their facilities.

If these systems did not exist the country would have to build two more electricity power units, totalling 1,000 MW, the union said.

[17] Greek investment firms' assets increase in April

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The investment index fell 3.9 percent in April, compared with an 8.0 percent increase of the general index on the Athens Stock Exchange, for a 15.0 percent decline this year, compared with a 3.0 percent fall in the general index over the same period.

Alpha Investments was the biggest player in the sector with its assets rising to 170.1 billion drachmas, followed by EEEX (140.8 bln), Ergo Invest (124.5 bln), National Investment (106.9 bln), Progressive Invest (54 bln) and Commercial Invest (52.3 bln).

[18] Greek listed companies criticize delay in implementing margin account

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

An announcement by the Union of Listed Companies on the Athens Stock Exchange said the implementation of the system would have contained a phenomenon of "red codes", indebted investors' accounts.

The Union urged market authorities to offer full and analytical information to investors over the operation of the margin account system and called for the start of negotiations with the Greek Banks' Union and the Securities Firms' Union to discuss the imposition of interest rates and the system's total cost on Greek investors.

[19] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the regulatory framework for the operation of a margin account system could lead to a significant reduction of liquidity in the Athens Stock Exchange because it was limiting open market trading, accounting more than 50 percent of the daily turnover.

Traders also noted that several securities firms and small investors were liquidating positions on smaller capitalization stocks, a sector likely to be hit by the implementation of a margin account system.

Only 10 stocks attracted buying interest to end slightly higher, with the banks sector resisting pressures because of a 0.05 percent gain in National Bank's shares.

The general index ended 1.50 percent lower at 3,156.14 points, off the day's lows of 3,149.40 points. Turnover was a low 130.31 million euros, or 44.4 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.91 percent lower at 1,856.71 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 2.63 percent to 358.01 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,863.24 -0.51% Telecoms: 1,088.75 -1.32% Insurance: 1,443.35 -2.10% Investment: 1,060.62 -2.39% Construction: 1,446.34 -3.46% Industrials: 1,851.16 -2.06% Holding: 3,596.43 -3.13% Base metals: 965.48 -1.65% Minerals: 1,043.29 -1.76% Publishing: 920.86 -3.72% Textiles: 1,076.48 -5.66% Retailing: 1,132.65 -3.83% IT: 979.48 -3.77% IT solutions: 920.47 -3.62% Wholesale: 878.43 -3.31% Food & Beverage: 881.29 -0.96%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 308.85 points, off 2.77 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 341 to 10 with only three issues unchanged.

Korfil, Sfakianakis, Technical Publications, Petzetakis, Mathios, Creta Farm, Kalpinis, Sex Form, Space Hellas and Piraeus Leasing were the 10 shares to score gains.

Mohlos, Unibrain, Mevaco, Xylemporia, Douros, Vardas, Petropoulos, Giannousis, Fitco and Naftemporiki suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Doudos, National Bank, Naoussa Spinning, Alpha Bank and Coca Cola HBC were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 42.88 Alpha Bank: 31.72 Commercial Bank: 53.12 Egnatia Bank: 5.44 Eurobank: 17.20 Piraeus Bank: 13.92 Lambrakis Press: 12.76 Altec: 6.34 Intrasoft: 9.84 Technodomiki: 7.62 Titan Cement: 40.86 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.10 Panafon: 7.06 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.02 Attica Enterprises: 8.26 Intracom: 20.50 Mytilineos: 7.46 Minoan Lines: 4.50 Viohalco: 11.04 Coca Cola HBC: 16.10

Bond prices mixed in scant trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in thin trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.47 percent from 5.44 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 51 basis points from 52 basis points in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 345 million euros (117 billion drachmas) from 1.4 billion euros (495 billion drachmas) in the trading day before.

Sell orders accounted for slightly more than half of turnover

Equity futures end down, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday, in line with the bourse indices on which they are based, traders said.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.91 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 2.63 percent lower.

Traded were 5,421 contracts on turnover of 36.5 million euros.

[20] President delivers 'Quality islets 2001' collective action awards

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

The ceremony was attended by scores of representatives from volunteer groups, which participated in the competition proclaimed by the Citizens Movement on the occasion of International Volunteers Year this year.

The groups receiving awards included the Special Children's Center "Zoodochos Pigi", the movement for a different way of life and the Greek Island and Sea friends.

The purpose of the Citizens Movement and the competition, as stressed during the ceremony, is to select initiatives and groups which are not yet known to the wider public, and deserve greater promotion, providing at the same time creative models in society.

[21] Pupils' rally to demand return of Parthenon Marbles

Athens, 08/05/2001 (ANA)

Pupils, teachers and municipal officials from 16 grammar and middle schools in the east Athens district of Vyronas -- named in honor of renowned 19th century British poet and philhellene Lord Byron -- gathered outside the British embassy in downtown Athens holding olive branches and torches to protest the British Museum's long-standing refusal to return the 5th century BC friezes that once adorned Acropolis' Parthenon.

"No one has the right to deny the Marbles of Greece's light, and only Greece has the right to give them to humanity," representatives of the pupils said.

The Classical-era friezes were removed from the Parthenon by the British diplomat Elgin with the permission of the local Ottoman authorities in the early 19th century. Elgin sliced off the priceless marbles and other parts of the Parthenon, dedicated in antiquity to the goddess Athena, before shipping them to England and eventually selling them to the British Museum in 1816 -- where they remain ever since.

[22] Kasoulides says Cyprus' EU membership prospects good

LARNACA, 08/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

In statements on arrival from Nykoping, Sweden, where he represented Cyprus at an informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers with their counterparts from candidate countries, Kasoulides said the future role of Europe should be "close to its citizens, and based on principles such as respect for human rights and human values."

Invited to comment on the presence of his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem at the meeting, Kasoulides said it was not the first time he sat at the same table with the Turkish minister.

"It is important that Mr. Cem realizes that what he and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash maintain is unorthodox and unreasonable and that the only solution for them is to abandon their intransigent positions, if there is to be a Cyprus settlement, based on the UN resolutions," the minister said.

After five rounds of proximity talks that started in December 1999, the Turkish side said it would no longer participate unless the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognized and there is a change in the procedure followed. Talks have not been held since last November.

Asked whether conditions at Nykoping where positive for Cyprus' accession course, Kasoulides said that even countries which in the past had some misgivings about Cyprus' accession prospects are now thinking otherwise.

However, he warned against complacency and added "our ac-cession course is not a bed of roses."

Cyprus applied for EU membership in July 1990 and began accession talks in 1998.

The meeting in Sweden examined how the EU will work to prepare the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference, which will deal with the future of Europe, and the various measures that have to be taken and which will lead to European integration.

Ministers also discussed EU enlargement, especially free movement of persons across national borders, the situation in the Korean peninsula, the Middle East and the Western Balkans. They also dealt with issues relating to human rights, especially the role of civil society, the rights of the child and the importance of the freedom of the press.

[23] President Clerides receives US ambassador

NICOSIA, 08/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Bandler told reporters they discussed the Cyprus problem and that this is Korologos' first opportunity to visit Cyprus, but refrained from replying to questions.

According to sources, the Greek American, who is based in Washington, has close relations with the US administration. He is also Governor on the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

[24] President Clerides meets AHEPA Greek Americans

NICOSIA, 08/05/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a meeting an AHEPA delegation, on an annual visit to Cyprus, had with President Glafcos Clerides, Economy said the intransigence shown by the Turkish side in the UN effort for peace is of their concern and said they will work "to make sure to reunite this island, if nothing else for the sake of our children."

He said AHEPA has always maintained close relations with the government and the people of the island and works with them "to try to solve the problem Cyprus faces, to make a better future for the Cypriot people."

Economy expressed pride with what the Cypriots have achieved under the most adverse conditions since the Turkish invasion, as it is "leading the way economically in the Mediterranean and the Aegean" and is expected to join the European Union.

He added that AHEPA is "active in influencing and bringing pressure to bear where we need to, on our congress, our State Department our government."

On Sunday, an AHEPA delegation crossed into the Turkish occupied areas, on a personal trip to visit the Greek Cypriots enclaved in Rizokarpaso, see the area and bring a present to the local priest from Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.

Economy also said that next year AHEPA will be organizing a convention in Athens bringing together their members from various countries and hopes to organize a trip to Cyprus as he believes it is important for them to see the situation for themselves.

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